Before We Kiss (Fool's Gold #14)(78)

“About my mom dying?” she asked.

“That and everything else you’ve been through.”

He reached toward her. Shelby had to consciously keep from flinching as he lightly touched her jaw.

“You have that looked at?” he asked.

“I’m fine.”

“We’re going to let a doctor decide. We’ll go as soon as the hospice nurse arrives.”

“How did my brother do all this?” she asked, fighting tears, knowing she just might not be in this alone anymore. “He’s still in the hospital in New Zealand.”

“Let’s just say he has a friend who is taking care of things for him,” the man told her.

Someone knocked on the front door. Ford went off to answer it. Shelby looked into the gray eyes of her rescuer.

“Who are you?”

“You can call me Angel.”

Despite the pain in her jaw, she managed a smile. “Seriously?”

He made an X on his chest. “It’s the name I was born with.”

She knew she should say something funny. Something that lightened the mood or showed that she was tough. Only she couldn’t think.

Ford returned with a petite brunette in bright pink scrubs.

“Hi,” the woman said with an easy and compassionate smile. “I’m Nancy. I’ll be taking care of your mom.”

Shelby started to speak, only the words got stuck and then she was crying. Angel drew her into his arms.

She usually hated when men touched her. If they were close, she couldn’t see where the hit was coming from. But somehow Angel was different. Maybe it was because he had so much power he didn’t need to hurt those less strong than himself. Maybe it was exhaustion. Whatever the reason, she relaxed into his embrace and gave in to the tears that had been waiting for so long. She surrendered to the possibility that maybe, just maybe, she was going to get out of this alive.

* * *

FAYRENE AND CARAMEL walked through city hall. She’d called ahead to confirm that Mayor Marsha was indeed back from her vacation and in her office. Which begged the question of why the other woman hadn’t come to pick up her dog.

“Don’t take it personally,” Fayrene told the Pomeranian. “You’re totally adorable. I don’t want you to go back. But she is your owner.”

Caramel gave her a doggy smile that both assured and comforted. As if she were confident that every outcome would be to her advantage.

Fayrene led them into the foyer of the mayor’s office. Bailey sat behind her desk.

“You’re right on time,” she said. “Go on in.”

Fayrene frowned. “On time? I didn’t have an appointment.”

“I know, but Mayor Marsha said you’d be in this morning.”

Okay, that was weird, Fayrene thought as she walked through the open double doors.

Mayor Marsha stood when they entered and smiled. “Fayrene. Thank you for stopping by. I trust you didn’t have any trouble with Caramel.”

“No. She was wonderful. Ryan and I adore her.”

Fayrene waited for the little dog to dash forward to greet her owner, the way she did whenever Fayrene returned from an errand. She would bark and spin and dance on her hind legs. But instead she stayed calmly at Fayrene’s side. Her tail wagged, as if she were interested in Mayor Marsha, but there was no real excitement.

The mayor motioned to a sofa and chairs in the corner. “Shall we?” she asked.

Fayrene followed her over and settled on the sofa. Caramel sat on her lap, as she often did, again showing little or no interest in Mayor Marsha.

“Um, how was New Zealand?” she asked, feeling awkward.

“As beautiful as everyone says. I had a lovely time, but I’m very ready to be back home.” The older woman smiled. “I hear you’ve had some excitement in your life.”

“Me? Not really.”

“Didn’t Montana’s water break while she and Simon were visiting? That can’t have been comfortable.”

“It was strange,” Fayrene admitted. “Have you seen their new baby?”

“I have. I was at the hospital the very night Henry was born. Such a handsome boy.”

“But that was a few days ago,” Fayrene said before she could stop herself.

“Yes, I’ve been home about a week now.”

Fayrene instinctively drew Caramel close. “You left your dog with me all that time?”

The mayor’s expression softened. “Oh, child, I thought you knew what was happening. Caramel isn’t mine. I took care of her for a few weeks while I figured out where she belonged. She’s in her forever home now. With you and Ryan.”

Fayrene opened her mouth, then closed it. “You’re giving her to me?”

“I think of it more as Caramel making her choice. Unless you want me to take her back. I can find her another home.”

“No!” Fayrene closed her arms around the little dog. “No, she doesn’t need to go anywhere else. I’m happy to take her.” More than happy. Relieved not to have to give up her little girl. “But why didn’t you say that before?”

Mayor Marsha smiled. “Because you would have told me all the reasons you couldn’t have a dog. And in your head, they would have made sense. I’ve known you all your life, child. You and your sisters faced terrible tragedy at a young age. You got through it and now you’re thriving. But you’ve always been a little stubborn. You see things a certain way and nothing else will do. A trait that is both admirable and sad. By ignoring the possibilities in favor of what you’ve already decided, you can miss out on some of life’s greatest pleasures.”